Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings is the ultimate comfort food.

A whole chicken simmered to tender perfection with veggies and seasonings. Simple dumplings, made with pantry ingredients are simmered in the broth until plump and tender.

Chicken and dumplings is easy to make from scratch and will be requested again and again.

close up of easy Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings in bowls

Homemade Chicken and dumplings is good ol’ comfort food at its best.
Making chicken and dumplings from scratch is easy, most of the time is spent simmering.
The broth is so flavorful, the chicken is incredibly tender, and the simple dumplings are made with pantry ingredients.

Ingredients for Chicken and Dumplings

The Broth

This is a simple broth made with a whole chicken and vegetables. Onions and carrots add flavor. Use a large onion and leave the skin on to add extra color to the broth. You can add your favorite herbs, such as bay leaf, a pinch of poultry seasoning, and fresh parsley.

We like to eat the veggies as a side dish, but feel free to chop the carrots & celery and add them back into your broth.

How to Make Dumplings

It’s so easy to make dumplings from scratch with basic ingredients (and doesn’t take much longer than making them with Bisquick). Flour, shortening, milk, baking powder, and salt are combined to make the dumplings.

Don’t worry about making the dumplings perfect; it doesn’t matter how they’re cut as long as the dough is rolled to about 1/8-inch thick. This gives the dumplings the perfect consistency.

Sometimes, I like to thicken the broth with a little bit of cornstarch. Mix an equal amount of water and cornstarch in a small bowl. After the dumplings have cooked add the slurry a little bit at a time until the broth has reached the desired consistency.

How To Make Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Cut the chicken and add all the broth ingredients to a large pot. Simmer.
Prepare the dumplings (recipe below).
Remove chicken from the broth. Discard the bones and skin and chop the meat.
Add dumplings to broth and simmer.
Add the chicken to the broth. Thicken with optional cornstarch.

This will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If freezing, it is best to freeze without the dumplings. They will become soggy. It is best to freeze the chicken and the dumplings separately.

Did you enjoy this Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Two white bowls of Chicken and Dumplings

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Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Old fashioned chicken and dumplings is a family favorite meal that is comforting and delicious.

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

In a large soup pot, combine the chicken, onion, carrots, and celery. Add salt to taste (about ½ teaspoon).
Add chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer covered for 45-60 minutes or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. While the broth is simmering, prepare dumplings below.
Remove chicken and vegetables from the broth. Discard skin and bones and chop remaining chicken, set aside.
Gently add dumplings to broth. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender.
Stir chicken (and vegetables if desired) into the broth and cook about 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

To Make the Dumplings

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening with a fork until shortening is mixed in.
Add milk a little at a time and mix until combined (you may not need all of it, you want a soft but not sticky dough).
Knead a few times on a floured surface until dough is smooth.
Generously flour your surface and roll the dough out to ⅛-inch thick. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1-inch x 2-inch strips. Flour generously to avoid sticking.
Cook in broth as directed above.

Carrots and celery can be served on the side or chopped and added to the broth along with the chicken.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

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